AUTEUR: PETER EGGER (AL) DATE: 2012

THE HUMAN PERSON

INTRODUCTION

Over the centuries, various philosophers have described the nature of man. They have developed very different
theories about man: The Greek classics describe man as an intelligent animal, as a being with body and soul, but
they also see in man a social and metaphysical being. The thinkers of the modern era consider man as a rational
and an active being. The realists and pessimists see in him a wolf and a monster. The nihilists are of the view that
man is a nothingness without meaning and purpose. Darwinists claim that man descends from apes. For the
technocrats, man is a wheel and a number, for economists it is a cost factor and a consumer, for the doctors man
is a complex machine. For the esoterics, he is a being with a divine core. Finally many philosophers consider man
as an unsolvable mystery.
So there are different statements about man. All these statements capture certain aspects of man. But do they
capture the very essence of man?

I THE NATURE OF THE HUMAN PERSON

We will now try to explain the Christian conception of man. The Christian philosophy describes man as a
"person". What is now a "person"?

1) The individual subject

Initially with a person is meant an "individual subject". Man is an independent being that exists by itself (per se).
Now what makes man to be an "individual subject", an independent being?

2) Self-consciousness of man

The condition for the "individual subject" is the spirit of man. The Spirit enables man to recognize himself. The
Spirit enables man to get to know himself. In this way through the spirit it comes to self-consciousness of man.

3) The autonomy of man

The self-consciusness allows man to reign over himself and to determine his own development. In this way, man
becomes an independent being. Man is the bearer of himself and thus he becomes an individual subject. Man
becomes to be a separate and individual "I".

4) The principle of unity of man

The person is then also the unifying principle of man. If man can recognize, for example, by the different functions
of seeing, hearing and smelling a single whole object, so it goes back to the person who creates the unity of the
different activities. The person then is the unifying principle that summarizes all the different knowledges, feelings,
relationships, etc. into one unit.

5) The changing and unchanging principle of man

The person is ultimately the changing and enduring principle of man. On one hand the person of man can deploy
and develop, but on the other hand human person, despite all the changes, remains the same. In the person of
man interlink mutable and permanent. Man is due to his personhood at once a dynamic and a constant being.

6) The nature of the human person

After these considerations the question of the nature of the human person can now be answered as follows:

a) The human person is a independent subject that with the help of the spirit recognizes itself and determines
itself. The human person is therefore a spiritual entity that determines itself.

b) The human person is also the principle of unity of man, which brings together all the acts into one.

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c) The human person is ultimately the dynamic and constant principle of man, which makes it possible that
man can develop itself dynamically as a person and yet he always remains the same person.

II THE BEGINNING OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The next question that concerns the beginning of the human person: When is man a person?

1) The personal constitution of man

The Christian philosophy declares that man is already at its beginning a personal being. It justifies its position with
the argument, that man is already by its constitution a beeing with the principles of mind and body. Therefore the
constitution of man is endued from the beginning with mind and body. Now, when in human beings there have
always been present the principles of mind and body, then there has also always existed the person. Man is thus
a person from the beginning of his existence.

2) A person from conception until death

Some philosophers argue that man only becomes a person in that moment when by his Spirit he is able to identify
and to determine himself. But that would mean that man is a person only from the use of reason to. That would
also mean that man only from the beginning of the use of reason would become a person. That would also mean
that man before the use of reason would not be a subject and wouldn’t have rights. This would mean that an
unborn child is not yet a person and therefore is allowed to be aborted, that a disabled or senile man is no longer
a person and can therefore be eliminated. To prevent this deadly "depersonalization" of man, the doctrine that
man is a person from conception until death, is of great importance for the protection of the unborn, disabled and
elderly.

III THE BASIC FEATURES OF HUMAN PERSON

The next question deals with the main features of the human person. What are the characteristics of a human
person?

1) The autonomy

The first feature of a human person is its autonomy. The human person exists for itself. This means that a person
is not a part of a whole, but that it is a distinct entity itself. But this does not mean that the autonomous human
person exists in isolation. The human person is, despite its indipendence always focused on other people, and a
member of a community.
2) The uniqueness

The second feature of the human person is its uniqueness. The autonomy of the human person is the
fundamental condition for her diversity and hence its uniqueness. If people would have no autonomy, the people
would all be the same, and could so never develop their own personality. But the diversity and the uniqueness of
human individuals does not revoke the human equality and the equality of the human rights.

3) The freedom

The third feature of the human person is its freedom. The independence allows the self-determination and thus
freedom. The human person is not usually forced from the outside and driven from within. The human person can
reign over herself and makes her own decisions. But human freedom does not mean that man is an autonomous
being. Man is bound by certain norms and values that belong to his being and his nature.

4) The Communication

The fourth feature of the human person is the ability to communicate. The spirit of human nature makes it
possible to have an "internal" contact with other spiritual beings. Through the language, the human person has
the opportunity to share her inner thoughts and feelings with other people. Thus she can reveal her inner world to
other people and participate at the inner world of other people

5) The transcendence

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The fifth feature of the human person is her transcendence. The spiritual nature allows it to the human person to
exceed matter, space and time. With the help of the spirit the human person can go beyond the physical world,
ending up in the metaphysical world. The human person thus has access to the intellectual, cultural and religious
world.

In summary, we can say that the human person has the following basic features: the human person is an
independent, unique, free, communicative and transcendent being.

IV THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The next question concerns the development of the human person. Despite the fact that man is a person by its
nature, he must still develop his person.

1) The reflection

The first form to develop the human person is the unfolding of thought. The mind of man can capture his own
person and the world around only when his thoughts are able to understand himself and the world. Therefore, the
development of the human person needs a constant thought and reflection.

2) The language

The second form of the flowering of the human person is the unfolding of language. The human spirit can flourish
only if the language supplies concepts and means to receive and to provide spiritual information. The spiritual
language is the indispensable prerequisite for the communication with other human persons, and the
communication with other persons is a indispensable prerequisite for the development of the human person.

3) The feelings

The third form for the development of the human person is the unfolding of emotions. The mind of man can only
grow if his feelings are wraithlike with him in line. The wraithlike of the emotions are a indispensable prerequisite
for the personal encounter with other people and for the personal conduct of man.

4) The communication

The fourth form of the development of the human person is the development of the communication. The mind of
man can flourish only if it communicates with other people. The communication consists in the internal exchanges
between people. The communication consists in the exchange of ideas which give the other a view into the
interior of the partner. The aim is to provide insight into the world of ideas, but also to provide insight into the heart
of the partner. This leads to participation in the humanity of others and thus to human mutual enrichment.

5) The values

The fifth form for the development of the human person is the unfolding of the values. The human person can
grow only if it strives for values that correspond to their nature. It is about spiritual, cultural, ethical, social and
religious values. These values enable the human person to develop in all these areas and to achieve.

6) The harmony

The sixth form for the development of the human person is the unfolding of inner unity. The human person can
grow only if it seeks in its interior a unity between mind, soul and feelings. This requires that there is a reasonable
balance between the different internal forces of man. Yet this requires a constant struggle for the internal and
external order and a permanent effort to achieve unity with others and God.

7) The faith

The seventh form of the development of the human person is to realize through faith. The human person can only
be fully realized if it lives under the authority of faith. Christian faith conciliates to a human person a clear sense of
orientation, the Ten Commandments convey the core values, the Beatitudes show the way to happiness, the
sacraments give the strength and grace, which requires the person to their full potential.

8) The Absolute

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The eighth form of the development of the human person is the quest for the absolute. The human person can
only be fully realized if it strives for an absolute goal. The spirit of man transcends the finite and temporal world
and strives for the infinite and eternal. The development of the human person finds its perfection only in the
absolute, in God.

In summary, we can say that for the development of the person the unfolding of thought, language, emotions,
communication, values, harmony, faith, and the relationship presupposes the absolute.

V THE COMMUNICATION OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The next question concerns the communication of the human person. This concerns the terms and conditions that
must be present for it to come to a real communication between people.

1) The essence of communication

Communication between people is more than a mutual exchange of information. Communication is an internal
exchange from person to person. Since it is the revelation of the inner world, as it comes to insight into the inner
thoughts and feelings. Communication between people is a participation and sharing in the humanity of others.

2) Mind and language

Communication between people first requires the spirit and the language. The spirit enables the knowledge of the
own person and allows the individual to exceed in the direction of the other person. The language allows the
conceptual grasp of their own thoughts and emotions and allows the placement of the same to others. Mind and
language also allows to receive and understand the messages of the other person.

3) Trust and openness

Further The communication between people requires mutual trust and mutual opening. Only through mutual trust,
it is possible that people open their hearts and give each other a look into their interior. Only through mutual trust,
it is possible to allow the other to enter in its own mystery and in the inner sanctum.

4) Listening and empathy

The communication between persons shall then advance the art of listening and empathy. Listening is capable to
hear the personal words from the other. Empathy is able to sense the accompanying feelings. In this way
communication captures also the hidden secret of the person and the unsaid between the words.

5) Understanding and love

The communication between people requires in particular understanding and love. The personal understanding
means that we understand not only the logical reasoning, but also the personal motives and circumstances that
have led to these thoughts. The personal love means that that one loves the other, not only because one
personally finds pleasure in him, but because one loves him for his own sake. Through the personal
understanding and love and through the personal communication, it is possible to understand and to love the
Other from within.

6) Becoming one of I and Thou

The goal of communication between people is to become one. Communication is the spiritual bridge between the
people and makes it possible to visit the soul of the another. Through communication, it first comes to the spiritual
hospitality and finally to the spiritual bringing home of the other. Communication thus leads to ecstasy, that is, to
step out of ones own person, and finally it reaches to Instase, ie to enter into the person of the other. In this way it
comes to the spiritual oneness of I and Thou in common We. Communication becomes communion.

7) Transcendence and mysticism

Communication between people reaches their completion in transcendence. The unification means that the
people do not need no language anymore but transcend beyond the language. Now in place of the language
comes silence and stillness. The unification also means that the people are so internalized that they no more
realize the outside world but float beyond space and time in the infinite and eternal. In that way communication

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between people culminate in mystical union with regard to internal infinity and eternity. In this way the
communication between people takes place and finds its completion in the transcendence and the mystical union.

In summary, we can say that communication of the human person has enormous possibilities. The
communication starts with the personal speaking and then runs through the trust to open oneself, listening,
empathy, understanding and love to the mystical and transcendent oneness.

VI SOCIALITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The next question concerns the sociality of the human person. This concerns the relationship of the individual to
the community and to society.

1) The independence and the openness of the person

We have heard that the person is an independent being. Because of its self-consciousness the person is an
independent subject. The person is not only an independent subject, but also a open-minded subject. This means
that the person stands for itself and is at the same time open for other people.

2) The person as an individual and a social being

The independence of the person and its openness means that the person at once is an individual and a social
beeing. Man thus simultaneously belongs to itself and to the Community. It is simultaneously an individual being
and a social being. The human person has a dual nature: it is simultaneously an individual and a social
dimension.

3) The independence inside the Community

The independence of the human person means that the human also remains an independent person in the
Community. Man also in the community remains an independent entity that represents its own point of view and
its independent rights. The autonomy of the human person implies that the individual has certain inalienable rights
that must be respected and protected by the Community. These rights are the right to life, the right to liberty, the
right to private property, the right to work, etc.

4) The openness towards the community

The openmindness of the human person means that a person can be open to the community. The human being
has access to the community and becomes a member of the community. The openmindness of the human person
implies that man has certain social obligations and also must contribute to the common good. Some of these
social obligations are justice in economy, fight for the ancients, care of the poor and the sick, defense of the
community, payment of taxes, etc.

5) The person as the measure of society

With its independent and social dimension the human person is the starting point and the center of society. The
human person is also the measure and the goal of society. A society is only human when it is based on the dignity
of the rights and needs of the human person. She is only human when she respects man from conception to
death.

6) The person as the measure of economy

The human person also is the measure of the economy. Man is the carrier, the measure and the objective of the
economy. The economy is made for man, and not man for the economy. Economy needs to ensure that people
can live a decent life. That the economy can prosper man in turn must provide a solid performance by discipline
and loyalty.

7) The person as the measure of policy

The human person is then also the dimension of politics. Man is the carrier, the measure and the objective of the
policy. Man is due before the state and above the political interests. Therefore, care must be taken in the policy
that the state does not place people under disability. But man is obliged to serve the common good, he also must
take care of his people and behave loyally to the State.

8) The person as the precondition for solidarity

The human person leads to the inner connectedness of the individual with the community. Through the spiritual

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bond between the people there will be a solid bond that finally leads to solidarity. Through solidarity, citizens meet
as people and bcome real citizens of the community. In the solidarity comes the deepest personal connectivity in
society to expression.

In summary, we can say that the human person has an independent and a social dimension. The independence
means that man stays in the community as a distinct person with inviolable rights. The openmindness means that
the human person is open to the community and becomes a member of the community. The human person is
also the center of the human society and is central to the economy and politics.

VII THE TRANSCENDENCE OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The next question concerns the transcendence of the human person. This concerns the relationship of the human
person to the metaphysical world and to God

1) The person discovers the spiritual world

On the basis of their spiritual nature the human person may go beyond the material world. She can mentally raise
over space and time and can puts herself in other places and other times. The human person recognizes with her
mind the universal principles and laws that govern the material world. She covers the intelligent plan that runs
through the whole cosmos. She discovers the spiritual values that underlie the morality and aesthetics. Thus the
human person can bring about the physical world and spread into a metaphysical world.

2) The person recognizes the Creator

The human person may, on the basis of her spiritual nature also recognize the Creator. She recognizes the hands
of the spiritual laws of nature in a spiritual cause behind nature, and recognizes on behalf of the order of the
cosmos, an ordering principle behind the cosmos. Through the nature the human person is able to discover a
useful utility and an outstanding beauty which indicates a plan of a mind and an imaginative designer. Thus
through the world and the universe the he human person can recognize the Creator.

3) The person hears the voice of the Father

The human person may, on the basis of her spiritual nature also recognize God the Father. She experiences in
conscience the call of God. The "voice" of God urges man to do good, she warns him against evil, she praises
him and blames him, she confirmes and comfortes him. In conscience the human person experiences the
leadership by a loving father who wants her best and who is interested in her welfare to her salvation.

4) The person strives for the Absolute

On the basis of her spiritual nature the human person can push forward to the absolute mind of God. In this way
the human person has the opportunity to interact as a finite being with the infinite nature of God. The personal
spiritual soul of man at heart is targeted to the absolute spirit of God and strives consciously or unconsciously to
conjunction and union with God.

5) The person is an image of God

The human person is by virtue of her spiritual nature an image of the divine spirit. Man is a spiritual being like God
is a spiritual being. Man is an independent spiritual being, as God is an independent spiritual being. Man is a
person, as God is a person. The human spirit is indeed relative and finite, but a reflection of the absolute and
infinite divine spirit.

6) The final determination of the person

The human person as image of God is called to strive for the archetype of God. The human person can only
achieve its true development, if she lives under the laws and according to the order of her creator. The human
person may only then find her last fulfillment, when she strives for unity with the absolute God. The final
determination of the human person is the union with the absolute God.

7) The final fulfillment of the person

The human person as image of God is called to communion with God. The finite human person can not rise from
its own resources to the infinite God. For that reason the infinite God must descend to man, and elevate him to
Himself. He needs to revive man with his grace and strengthen him, he must purify and sanctify him. But man
must open himself to God, he must convert, he must pray to God and he is expected to be redeemed by God.
Finally, in this way, with the help of God man will obtain the maturity and holiness, to go to the eternal communion
with God.

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In summary, we can say that human person has a transcendent dimension. The human person may, on the basis
of her spiritual nature go beyond the material world and recognize the spiritual world. She is able to identify
behind the material world, the Creator of the world and through her conscience she can experience the work of
God. Through the basis of her spiritual nature the human person may enter in connection with the Spirit of God. In
her interior she is aligned to the absolute and only in the absolute sense she can find her final determination and
fulfillment.

VIII THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The next question concerns the dignity of the human person. The specific characteristics and properties of the
human person show that the human person has a special dignity.

1) The spiritual nature of man

The dignity of the human person is based on the spiritual nature of man. The nature of the human spirit enables
man the consciousness of himself and makes him master of himself. But the spirit of nature also allows man to
transcend the material world. Through His Spirit man dominates the physical world and thus he becoms a
metaphysical being.

2) The uniqueness of man

The dignity of the human person is also based on her uniqueness. Every human person is a unique creature that
in this shape has never existed and that will be no more. Every human person has her distinctive character and
her very specific character. Every human person has a unique destiny and a one-time provision. Everyone has a
unique shape and a unique face. Everyone is a unique original.

3) The pride of Creation

The dignity of the human person is based also on her increase over nature. The spiritual nature allows man to
realize and shape nature. She increases man over nature and makes him the crown of creation. Man becomes
coworker of God, and receives from God the order to design and to use creation in the mind of God.

4) The relation to the Absolute

The dignity of the human person has its basis in the participation of the people on the Absolute. Man by his
natural mind is able to enter in connection with the Spirit of God. In this way the human person has the
opportunity to share in the Absolute and to have communion with the Absolute. This participation in the absolute
gives the human person dignity that surpasses all earthly things.

5) The image of God

The dignity of the human person has its basis in the likeness of man to God. Man is an independent spiritual
being, as God is an independent spiritual being. The human spirit is indeed relative and finite, but a reflection of
the absolute and infinite divine spirit. This similarity with God makes man an image of God and gives him an
infinite dignity.

6) The Confidant of God

The dignity of the human person has its basis in the friendship of man to God. Man is allowed to say to God
"Father" and thus becomes the child, the son and daughter of God. He is allowed to say "Thou" to God and thus
can build a personal relationship with God. He is addressed by God as a person and called by his personal name.
He is allowed to maintain a personal dealing with God and is allowed to turn to God with all his personal
concerns. This personal relationship makes man the confidant of God and gives him an ineffable dignity.

7) The eternal destination of man

The dignity of the human person has its basis in the immortality of the spiritual soul. The mind of man can not be
deduced from the matter and is therefore an independent principle, which is independent of the matter. The spirit
of man is a single principle, and therefore can not disintegrate into pieces like matter. The spirit of man is focused
on the absolute and therefore can not find his final destination in this world. The spirit soul is an immortal being,
and therefore focuses on the absolute. In this way, the immortality, and the final determination of the spirit soul is
the reason for its infinite dignity.

In summary, we can say that the dignity of man has several reasons. Human dignity is grounded in spiritual
nature of man, which makes him an independent and free being; she is based on the uniqueness of man which
makes him an unrepeatable figure; she is grounded in the knowledge of nature that rises him to become the

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crown of Creation; she is based on the similarity with God that enables him to communion with God; she is
grounded in the divine sonship with God, which makes him the confident of God; and finally she is founded in
immortality and in the eternal destiny of man, that enables him to participate in the absolute.

IX THE DANGERS OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The next question concerns the dangers of the human person. Today we can see several ideological but also
personal dangers of the person.

IDEOLOGICAL DANGERS
Today there are several views of the world, that question essential aspects of the human person, and therefore
constitute a major threat for the human person.

1) The materialist view of man

Materialism denies the spiritual nature of man, and denies the mental self-determination and freedom of man.
Man is only a being that is determined by physical, biological, psychological and sociological forces. In this way,
materialism leads to the denial of the human person as an intelligent and free being.

2) The liberal view of man

Liberalism sees in man only the individual and independent being and ignores the social dimension of man. It only
emphasizes the freedom and the rights of individuals but neglects the duties to the community. In this way,
liberalism ignores the social dimension of the human person.

3) The capitalist view of man

Capitalism sees man only as an ongoing nature, as cost factor and as a consumer. According to capitalist
understanding the econonmy does not serve man but capital. For capitalism, capital takes priority before man.
Man is only a function of the capital. In this way, capitalism disregard the rights and dignity of the human person.

4) The nationalist view of man

Nationalism sees man only as a part of the nation. Man is no longer an independent entity within the nation. Man
is only one member of the people and has to serve people with all his strength. Man is committed to absolute
obedience to the leaders of the people. If man does not correspond to the common will of the people, the people
have the right to eliminate these people. In this way, nationalism disregards the autonomy and freedom of the
human person.

5) The socialist view of man

Socialism sees in man only the collective nature and ignores the autonomy of man. It only emphasizes the
obligations to the collective and neglects the rights of individuals. It only emphasizes the equality and overlooks
the diversity of people. Socialism transfers to the State all powers and deprives the person so that he treats the
citizens too much like the principle of equality and thus leads to more uniformity and regimentation. In this way
socialism violates independence, freedom and diversity of the human being.

6) The scientific view of man

Science describes certain phenomena of man, which can be recognized by scientific methods. Natural science
describes only the physical, mental and physical aspects of man. In this way, science can not capture the spiritual
being and the human person.

7) The technical view of man

Technique considers man as an element of technical and functional structures and systems. Man is a
component, a file, a number, a chip. In this way technique eliminates the Personal of man.

8) The esoteric view of man

New Age views man as a being with an impersonal divine core ("higher self"), which migrates from one body to
another. The essence of the individual is the sum of an infinite migration and is determined by karma (= the
original sin) of his ancestors. The person is only a manifestation of karma. In this way, the esoteric questions the
autonomy of the human person.

In summary, we can say that the materialistic, liberal, capitalist, nationalist, socialist, scientific, technical and
esoteric view of man impose in question various aspects of the personal image of man.

THE PERSONAL DANGERS

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Today, there are also several personal dangers of the human person. These dangers are often far worse than the
ideological attacks on the person.

1) The egocentrism

Today many people crumble a growing self-centeredness. For these people everything revolves around the ego.
They think and talk almost exclusively about themselves. These people only maintain their ego, but neglect their
person. Through this self-centeredness the communication with other people is disrupted. There are no real
friends, there is no personal interaction, no mutual enrichment. The person can not develop and remains
underdeveloped in many ways.

2) The lack of respect

Many people today have a lack of respect for their fellow human beings. These people take their fellow human
beings not seriously and consider them as incapable, stupid and naive. They regard them as tools for their plans,
as objects for exploitation and as a "useful idiots". It is quite clear that such an attitude towards others can never
lead to a personal contact.

3) The criticism

Many people today are characterized by a frightening criticism. These people criticize every detail of their fellow
men. They are often unjust in their judgments and merciless. This destructive criticism leads to the results that the
person of another is downright dismantled. This removal also leads to the fact that the other becomes a "non-
person" to whom no more relationship can be build. The result is that again many personal relationships are
destroyed.

4) The sensuality

Many people today are determined by a wicked sensuality. These people often see only the sensible of the other
people. They only see on the exterior and are bound by their sensual stimuli. They perceive only the body and
have no eye for the soul of man. It is obvious that this precludes from the start any deeper sensuality and
personal relationship.

5) The inner wounds

Many people suffer personal injuries they have received many years ago. They were treated unkind and unjust,
they were laughed at and ridiculed, they were abused and exploited. These people have lost the basic trust to the
people. They dare not to get in contact with other persons anymore. They are afraid of being hurt again. And yet
they long for a personal attention, for personal recognition and love.

6) The bitterness

Many people suffer from a personal bitterness. They are constantly thinking of certain people who have done
them wrong. They are hurt and crippled, they cry and complain. They are not able to leave the prison of their
bitterness. They become their own bitter and inedible. They become increasingly unable to reach out to other
people. They close up and wither away as people and as persons.

7) The refusal of reconciliation

Many people today are of a passionate intransigence. They are not willing to forgive other people who have done
evil to them. Thus it is not possible to restore and bring into order the broken relationships. Thus can not be
overcome evil and it remains. Again, many people are left behind and become living corpses.

8) The lost of faith

Many people today have abandoned their faith in God. These people are no longer focused on God and don‘t ask
for his will and his order. They do not follow God's commands and are not ready to convert. They do not use the
sacraments of strengthening and healing. They look no more after their final destination and find no ultimate

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meaning and no ultimate fulfillment. For such people, many opportunities for personal development and personal
healing slip.

In summary, we can say that today there are also many internal threats to the person: the self-centeredness, the
lack of respect, criticism, sensuality, internal wounds, bitterness, unforgiveness and unbelief are the causes of the
horrific mutilation and atrophies of the human person.

X THE PRESERVATION OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The next question concerns the preservation of the human person in our time. How is it possible to preserve the
human person, despite many dangers?

1) The reflection about the own person

The preservation of the human person begins with the contemplation of the own person. Modern man must
repeatedly stop and take the time to think about his own person. Who am I? What personal mission do I have?
How can I develop my personal skills? How can I serve the community with my personal skills? What personal
vocation do I have from God? In this way, modern man's own person does not lose from sight.

2) The personal reflection

The preservation of the human person is also bound by the personal reflection. Modern man must personally
address the fundamental questions of life. He has to form a personal opinion and must seek a personal
conviction. Only through personal reflection, he does not think like everyone else, only through personal
reflection, he can not be manipulated. In this way, the personal reflection is a crucial prerequisite for the
preservation of the person.

3) The personal decision

The preservation of the human person requires the courage to personal choice. Modern man can only maintain its
independence and personal freedom when making personal decisions. He may not be taking the decisions out of
hand. If he allows the other to decide, then it's done for his personal freedom. In this way also the courage to
make one‘s own decision is an important condition for the preservation of the person.

4) The personal friendships

The preservation of the human person is also bound by the maintenance of personal friendships. Modern man
can only keep his personal humanity, if he maintains personal exchange with friends. Only through personal
contact and through personal relationship it is possible to activate the personal areas. In this way, it is not a loss
of one's own human person.

5) The personal working environment

The preservation of the human person is an effort also to advance a personal work environment. With a little good
will, it is certainly possible to create a small area in the personal work environment. So in an office it should also
be possible that one meets at a personal level. Similarly, one should treat each other as persons in a workshop.
Even in a government office one can address people as person. In this way, it would also be in the range of
business and management possible to create a personal environment and to save the human person.

6) The personal conversion

The preservation of the human person today also requires the personal conversion. Only the personal conversion
is able to tackle the many poor posture, preventing personal contact between people. Only personal conversion
can overcome the egocentrism, lack of respect, criticism, sensuality, bitterness, intransigence and so on. At the
same time it also needs the spiritual healing of the internal injuries and bitterness. Only one inwardly healed man
is able to meet other people in spite of many injustices as a person.

7) The personal faith

Preservation of the human person finally needs personal faith. If the person in prayer is repeatedly in contact with
God, then he learns in his conscience, what is the innermost core of his person. God is the timeless standard by

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 AUTEUR: PETER EGGER (AL) DATE: 2012

which the human person finds orientation. If man is attempting to remain faithful to God, he can be sure that he
does not lose himself. It can then be sure that he preserves the core of his person.

In summary, we can say that man also in our time has several ways to preserve his person. These options
include the consciousness on oneself, the personal reflection, personal decisions, personal friendships, the
personal working environment, personal conversion and personal faith.

CONCLUSION
At the end of our deliberations we will try to again summarize the basic results of the human person in our time:

1) The human person is an individual intellectual subject that recognizes itself and knows itself, it has the
option to dispose about itself and to create freely her own being.
2) The human person is already given by the conception of man: because man by the nature of his constitution
is a psychophysical being, and therefore also the principle of the person is given from the beginning.
3) In the broadest sense the human person has the task to provide for her development. She must strive, through
thought, language, feelings, values and faith to go to the completion of her personhood.
4) The human person is also appointed to communicate with other people. This personal communication is done
through language, trust, openness, listening, empathy, understanding and love.
5) The human person is also appointed to sociality. Due to their autonomy and openness she is also an
independent person and a member of the community. The person is the measure of society, economy and
politics.
6) The human person is finally called to transcendence. Through her spiritual nature, she can exceed the
material world and penetrate into the spiritual world. There she can climb up to the absolute and participate in
fellowship with God. In communion with God the spiritual soul finds her ultimate meaning and her highest
fulfillment.
7) Today the human person is exposed to many dangers. Several world views impose essential aspects of the
person in question. But there are also various personal dangers to the human person.
8) The human person must therefore - more than ever - seek her preservation. Today there are several ways to
support the preservation of the person: the awareness of oneself, the personal reflection, the personal
decision, the personal friendships and the personal faith in God.

Today the human person is the central problem of our society. But she is also the key to the renewal of all
areas of our society.

Author:

Peter Egger

Brennerstraße 27 a

I-39042-Brixen

Email: eggpet5@dnet.it

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